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app_install

Installs an application bundle (.app) onto a target simulator device. This is the primary tool for deploying locally built applications to a simulator for testing. The app bundle is typically found in the Xcode DerivedData directory after a successful build.

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Required	Default	Description
`deviceId`	string	Yes	—	The UDID of the target simulator device.
`appPath`	string	Yes	—	Absolute path to the `.app` bundle to install.

Usage Examples

Install a freshly built app

“Install my WeatherApp onto the booted iPhone 16 Pro simulator.”

{
  "deviceId": "F3A1B2C3-D4E5-6789-ABCD-EF0123456789",
  "appPath": "/Users/dev/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/WeatherApp-abc123def/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/WeatherApp.app"
}

Install an app from a custom build directory

“Deploy the release build of MyApp to the test simulator.”

{
  "deviceId": "A1B2C3D4-E5F6-7890-ABCD-1234567890EF",
  "appPath": "/Users/dev/builds/Release-iphonesimulator/MyApp.app"
}

Example Output

App installed successfully.
Device: F3A1B2C3-D4E5-6789-ABCD-EF0123456789
App: /Users/dev/Library/Developer/Xcode/DerivedData/WeatherApp-abc123def/Build/Products/Debug-iphonesimulator/WeatherApp.app
Bundle ID: com.example.weatherapp

app_launch — Launch the app after installing it.
app_uninstall — Remove a previously installed app.
app_list — Verify the app appears in the installed apps list.
xcode_build — Build the project to produce the .app bundle.
simulator_boot — Boot a simulator before installing.

Tips